Decluttering and organising are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. While both are essential for maintaining a tidy and stress-free home, they serve different purposes. Think of decluttering as the process of deciding what stays and what goes, while organising is about creating systems to keep what remains in order.
Let’s break it down with our experience in the field and real-life examples to make it easier to understand.
Decluttering: What Are You Keeping (or Letting Go Of)?
Decluttering is the first step toward an organised home. It involves evaluating your belongings and making intentional decisions about what deserves space in your life. If you skip this step and jump straight to organising, you’ll just be rearranging clutter instead of solving the root problem.
The Decluttering Process
- Sort Through Your Items – Work category by category, such as clothes, books, or kitchen gadgets, and assess what you actually use and love.
- Ask the Right Questions:
- Have I used this in the past year?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Does this add value to my life?
- Decide What Stays and What Goes – Keep only what serves a purpose or brings you joy.
- Discard Responsibly – Donate, sell, recycle, or dispose of items instead of stuffing them back into storage.
The Emotional Side of Decluttering
Decluttering isn’t just about physical objects—it’s also about letting go emotionally. Many people hold onto things due to sentimental value, guilt, or the fear of needing them in the future. To make the process easier:
- Take photos of sentimental items before letting them go.
- Remind yourself that memories live in your mind, not in objects.
- Create a “maybe” box for things you’re unsure about and revisit it in a few months.
One of our clients, a working mother, struggled with overflowing closets and never seemed to find what she needed. She decided to declutter by sorting through her wardrobe, asking herself, “Have I worn this in the past year?” The result? Three bags of donations and a much easier morning routine.
Now, she only keeps clothes she actually wears and loves.
Decluttering frees up space, reduces stress, and makes your home feel lighter and more manageable. But once you’ve decluttered, you need a plan for the things you’re keeping—this is where organising comes in.
Organising: Creating Systems to Maintain Order
Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to organise. Organising isn’t about getting rid of things, it’s about ensuring everything has a home, so your space stays functional and easy to maintain.
The Organising Process
- Group Similar Items – Store like items together so you always know where to find (and return) them.
- Assign Everything a Place – Make sure each item has a designated spot, whether it’s in a drawer, a bin, or on a shelf.
- Use Storage Solutions – Baskets, bins, dividers, and shelves help keep things contained neatly.
- Label for Clarity – Labelling makes it easy for everyone in the household to stick to the system.
- Maintain Regularly – Organisation isn’t a one-time event; maintain it by doing small resets daily or weekly.
The Long-Term Benefits of Organising
- Saves Time – No more searching for lost items.
- Reduces Stress – A tidy space leads to a clearer mind.
- Boosts Productivity – Less clutter means fewer distractions.
- Makes Cleaning Easier – A well-organised space takes less effort to maintain.
Let us share our experience with a freelance designer who used to waste time searching for his tools and paperwork. After decluttering, he created a system: labelled folders for documents, drawers for different supplies, and a “daily essentials” tray for things he uses most often. Now, he spends less time looking for things and more time being productive.
An organised home isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making life easier. When everything has a place, you save time, reduce stress, and maintain a clutter-free environment in the long run.
Decluttering vs. Organising: Which Comes First?
Decluttering always comes first. There’s no point in organising clutter! Once you’ve reduced the excess, you can put smart organising systems in place.
Quick Comparison:
- Decluttering = Deciding what stays and what goes.
- Organising = Deciding where things go and how they are stored.
Both steps work together to create a home that feels calm, functional, and easy to maintain. Decluttering clears the chaos, and organising brings order to what remains. When you combine the two, you create a home that works for you, not against you!
Tips for Staying Organised
Keeping your home clutter-free and organised isn’t a one-time task—it’s a lifestyle. Here are a few habits to maintain order:
- Adopt the One-In, One-Out Rule – If you buy something new, let go of something old.
- Set a Timer for 10-Minute Daily Resets – Small daily efforts prevent big messes.
- Use the “Touch It Once” Rule – Instead of putting items down randomly, put them in their designated place immediately.
- Do a Seasonal Declutter – Review your belongings every few months to keep only what you truly need.
Ready to Transform Your Space?
Don’t let clutter hold you back from living the life you deserve! Start the New Year with a fresh, organised space and a clear mind.
We offer professional home organising services designed to make your life easier. From tackling clutter to streamlining your space, we help you get your home in order. Whether it’s a single room or your entire home, our expert team of home organisers is here to guide you every step of the way. Check out our professional home organising services
Book your session today and take the first step towards a more organised, stress-free life!